September 16, 2013

Brian Waters getting closer to being back in football shape after playing 18 offensive plays and four on special teams

Brian Waters got 18 offensive plays and four on special teams Sunday in his first action since the end of the 2011 season. But Cowboys coach Jason Garrett isn't yet declaring Waters ready to play an entire game.

"We’ll see how he responds to the workload he got," Garrett said Monday. "He seemed like he was OK today, and we will continue to give him some work this week in practice and see where he is."

Mackenzy Bernadeau started at right guard and played 46 snaps. Waters got two series in the first half and two in the second.

"He’s really been impressive with everything he’s done for us, starting with the workout he had a couple of weeks ago and how he’s increased his workload in practice each and every day," Garrett said. "He’s a pro, and he’s played a lot of football in this league. The six Pro Bowls didn’t happen by accident. He’s a good football player. He’s a good athlete. He’s strong. He’s quick, and I think he’s getting himself back into football shape, not only the conditioning part but also just having his feet and hands where they need to be and really comfortably and instinctively. The more he plays the better he’ll get, but he did a nice job starting out in the game yesterday."

The Cowboys signed Waters on Sept. 3, and he was inactive for the season opener against the Giants. It has been presumedWaters will take over the starting role once he is back in football shape. Bernadeau has started all 18 games he has played with the Cowboys since signing as a free agent before the start of the 2012 season.